UNSC resolution - Joint Statement

Last week, following the third anniversary of the large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, a new resolution calling for peace and condemning Russia for its actions was tabled in the United Nations General Assembly by Ukraine.

In a shift from its previous stance and policies, the new American administration tabled their own version of a resolution which omitted any mention of Russian aggression against Ukraine. The original resolution was adopted by the General Assembly with 93 to 18 votes and 65 abstentions. In a show of defiance against Europe and its democratic allies, the US sided with Russia and voted against the resolution. The US version was also adopted, but not before amendments by a group of countries, led by the EU, were included, causing the American administration to abstain on its own proposal. The amendments reaffirmed support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, to characterize the Russian attack as a "total war" rather than a "conflict" and to call more strongly for peace in accordance with international treaties.

Later on however, the US tabled its original proposal in the UN Security Council, composed of five permanent members with a veto right as well as ten non-permanent members, and whose resolutions are binding. The UK and EU member states currently sitting in the Council, namely France, Denmark, Greece and Slovenia, requested amendments in line with the previous General Assembly resolutions. These were however not accepted. The resolution passed with ten votes while the European members of the Security Council abstained. Neither France nor Britain, the permanent members, used their veto as they have pledged not to use it since 1989.

The signatory Volt national sections understand that a vote against a resolution calling for an end to the war in Ukraine would send the wrong signal to the global community. However, considering the ongoing geopolitical upheaval caused by the shift of foreign policy of the United States, EU member states should also reconsider their posture in multilateral institutions.

There are growing calls for reforming the European Union to be able to fill the void left by the United States. This should include representation in international institutions next to the United States, China and Russia. We must make our voice heard as Europeans and defend our interests and values on the international stage. It is time for Europe to affirm itself as a global actor, independent from others. This is why we support EU treaty reforms for a coherent foreign policy and France granting the European Union its permanent seat in the UN Security Council, under the political authority of a European Government following the adoption of a European Constitution and the establishment of fully democratic and accountable federal institutions.

Such reforms would allow France to honour its commitment to not using its veto while putting the European Union in a position to prevent similar resolutions by using its veto.

We are forced to rethink global politics. We can only do so by also rethinking Europe and empowering the EU through treaty reforms to reliably support Ukraine and defend its own interests.

Signed by the representatives of

Volt Slovenia
Volt France
Volt Greece
Volt Denmark
Volt UK